Mobile Application for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders and is associated with recurrent symptoms, impaired quality of life, and sleep disturbances. Although proton pump inhibitors are the standard treatment, many patients continue to experience persistent or recurrent symptoms after treatment.

This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effectiveness of a mobile application designed to support self-management in patients with GERD. The intervention includes disease education, lifestyle modification guidance, dietary recommendations, diaphragmatic breathing exercises, and regular reminders delivered through the mobile application in addition to standard education. Participants in the control group receive standard education alone.

The primary objective is to determine whether the intervention reduces symptom recurrence. Secondary objectives are to evaluate improvements in sleep quality and GERD-related quality of life. Outcome measures include the GerdQ, Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), GERD Health-Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Assessments are performed at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after enrollment.

The findings of this study may provide evidence supporting the use of mobile health interventions to improve long-term self-management and clinical outcomes in patients with GERD.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 to 60 years.
• Able to communicate in Mandarin Chinese or Taiwanese.

-.Owns and is able to use a smartphone.

• Endoscopically confirmed gastroesophageal reflux disease with Los Angeles (LA) Classification Grade B, C, or D erosive esophagitis, or Barrett's esophagus.
• Able and willing to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Previous esophageal or gastric surgery, including anti-reflux surgery.
• Regular use of proton pump inhibitors within the previous 8 weeks.
• Receiving antithrombotic therapy.
• Diabetes mellitus requiring treatment (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%).
• Liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class B or higher).
• Chronic kidney disease stage 3 or higher.
• Neurological disorders affecting participation.
• Malignancy other than early-stage cancer.
• Hiatal hernia larger than 2 cm.